Commandant of Midshipmen: CAPT Mikel Stroud

Captain Mikel E. Stroud, USMS, was born in Cody, Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education in 1987.

CAPT Stroud was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps following his graduation from Officer Candidate School in 1989. His major assignments have been first as the logistics officer for 3rd Battalion 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA. During this tour, CAPT Stroud participated in Desert Shield/Storm/Saber. Additionally he deployed to Los Angles for the LA riots and a deployment with the first ever 31st MEU in Okinawa, Japan as the BLT S-4 officer. CAPT Stroud was then assigned to 1st Landing Support Battalion where he served as the Logistics Officer, the Assistant Operations Officer, and finally the Commanding Officer, Company A. He was then selected as an instructor at the Logistics Officer School in Little Creek, Virginia where he taught the Combat Service Support courses. In 1998, he was ordered back to Camp Pendleton where he served as the 1st Marine Division G-4 Plans Officer and then was selected as the Logistics Officer for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this tour of duty CAPT Stroud actively participated in operations in Southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His final permanent change of station was to Tampa, FL where he reported to United States Central Command J4 where he completed multiple tours in Iraq as part of the Central Command Operations and Planning Group. His final tour of duty was with U.S. Marine Forces Central Command as the Chief of Logistics Plans where he was actively involved in all planning for Marines Forces deployed in the Middle East.

He is a graduate of Army Airborne School, Amphibious Warfare School, Naval War College where was awarded Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

After retiring as a Lt Col in 2009, he was hired as a Regimental Battalion Officer and Assistant Football Coach at SUNY Maritime College. He was soon promoted to Senior Battalion Officer in the Regiment of Cadets and to the Defensive Coordinator of the Maritime Football Team. He was responsible for providing leadership, guidance, training and discipline of student cadets necessary to command and control cadets in a military organizational structure.

Prior to becoming Commandant, CAPT Stroud served as acting Commandant from October 2016 to May 2017.

His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

He has been married to Taleen for 32 years and has two daughters, Breanna and Lexi.